1884 1C One Cent, Judd-1721, Pollock-1929, R.6, PR66 NGC....

Description

1884 Judd-1721 One Cent Pattern, PR66Eastman Johnson's 'Holey Cent'

1884 1C One Cent, Judd-1721, Pollock-1929, R.6, PR66 NGC.
Design. The Eastman Johnson "holey cent" design. The planchet
is holed at the center. The obverse has UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
above and the date below, with no other design or ornament. The
reverse shows ONE CENT above with an inverted shield and wheat
stalks below, within which the fields are open. Struck in nickel
with a plain edge.

Commentary. A hole at the center of the one cent and five
cents patterns of 1884 was the design concept of artist Eastman
Johnson, known for his painting "Old Kentucky Home." Johnson's
pattern design was modified and issued again in 1885. When the
perforated planchets were struck, metal flowed inward, creating the
imperfect outline to the central hole. Thick and thin variants are
known. This piece was struck on a thin planchet and shows a smaller
perforation. USPatterns.com states that about two dozen are
known.